- Human rights groups have issued warnings that Iran is actively recruiting children as young as 12 into military-aligned positions, a move described as a desperate attempt to mobilise its population and strengthen its war efforts.
- Rahim Nadali, the deputy director of culture and arts at the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), publicly called for volunteers aged 12 and above to participate in various roles, including operational, security, support, logistics, and health services.
- Organisations such as Human Rights Watch and the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights have condemned this recruitment, stating it violates children's rights and constitutes a war crime under international law for those under 15.
- Witnesses have reported seeing children, some armed, performing security duties in Tehran and other Iranian cities, further substantiating the claims of child involvement in conflict-related activities.
- The severity of the situation is highlighted by the reported death of 11-year-old Alireza Jafari, who was allegedly killed in a drone strike while on duty at a checkpoint in Tehran, with his mother stating he was there due to a 'shortage of personnel'.
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